More than 9 million Americans own an RV, because they’re a great way to explore new places while still enjoying the comfort and familiarity of our own home. But RV trips can quickly turn miserable if the inside of your vehicle isn’t cool and comfortable. Installing a ceiling fan in your RV is a perfect way to keep cool.
There are a large range of fans available that will fit an RV, and they come in different sizes, designs, power consumption, accessories and cost. Finding the right ceiling fan for your vehicle can be information overload.
In this guide, we explain what makes a ceiling fan ideal for your RV so that you can invest in one that best fits your needs. We also recommend four of the best ceiling fans that you can install in your RV.
So, Why Install A Ceiling Fan In Your RV?
While opening the windows of your RV alone can sometimes be enough to keep your vehicle feeling cool, it’s not always effective, especially in hot or rainy weather.
You can also get a vent cover, which are great when driving. But sometimes a ceiling fan is just what we need when we are trying to enjoy those warm days or evenings in our caravan.
Installing a ceiling fan can offer the following distinct advantages:
- Ceiling fans can maintain a constant airflow in your RV.
- Compared to ACs, ceiling fans consume significantly less power.
- Stagnant air, especially when combined with moisture, can allow mold to grow over time. By bringing air into motion, a ceiling fan can also help reduce mold in your RV.
- Ceiling fans often come in unique and attractive designs, adding an element of style to your RV interior.
Plentiful Air also has detailed information on dehumidifiers with drain hoses for RVs available here.
Features that make a ceiling fan ideal for an RV
When it comes to RVs, not all ceiling fans are created equal. Here are some of the things that make a fan ideal for use in RVs:
Voltage
Most RVs can run under a 120V shore power, and/or a 12V battery power. This means your ceiling fan must be able to operate in either (or both) of these power supplies, or else it simply won’t work in your RV.
Although, most campers prefer RVs that work with 12V batteries so you can use it on the go, even when you don’t have access to shore power.
Size and Mount
Most ceiling fans designed for residential living have large blades and often hang low so as to circulate maximum air in a larger space. Since RVs are almost always smaller, the fan will need to have smaller blades to fit the ceilings.
It’s also important that the fan does not hang too low from the ceiling to avoid accidents. It would be even better if the fan can be mounted on the ceiling directly, which not only helps prevent accidents but also makes the fan less prone to damage during travel.
Weight
As with everything else in your RVs, the lighter your fan is, the better it is going to hold up, especially on bumpy roads.
Power switch
While some ceiling fans come with a remote control, many don’t, and will need your RV to have a wall switch. Your RV may not have the space for one, or it may not be possible to add a wall switch, so always check if your fan comes with a wall switch or a remote control.
Which ceiling fans are right for your RV
There are 12V ceiling fans designed specifically for RVs that factor in the available space, height and power of an RV. A standard residential ceiling fan can be installed in an RV, but it will need a lot of power, can’t run without an RV inverter, and probably won’t have a suitable design for safety (or the available space).
Most residential fans work with a 120V power supply. If you want to install this in your RV, you’re going to need constant access to a shore line, which usually isn’t always be possible.
Residential fans are designed with large blades and often hang low from the ceiling to allow maximum air to circulate in relatively larger areas of your room. In an RV, this can not only take up a lot of space but even become a safety hazard.
Most of us opt for a 12V ceiling fan designed specifically for RVs since they can work while you’re on the go, are more compact, safer, and also save you a lot of power.
With these basics now covered, let’s move on to our list of the best ceiling fans for your RV.
The 4 Best Ceiling Fans For Your RV
Here are the 4 of the best ceiling fans for an RV – all easily available on Amazon.
1. LaSalle Bristol Ceiling Fan
Featuring a sleek and minimalistic white look, with 42inch long blades you would be forgiven for thinking this fan was too big for an RV. But this model from LaSalle Bristol is a perfect fit for your RV.
At just 6 pounds of weight, this is also one of the lighter fans on our list today, which is great if you’re apprehensive about adding a heavy device to your vehicle (or above your bed, for that matter.)
Despite the large blade size, the fan’s brushless motor can run entirely off of your RV’s 12v battery supply.
The model used to need a wall mounted switch to operate, but the product information was updated in 2023 to include a remote!
Pros:
- Sleek, airy design
- Large blades
- Reversible blades
- Lightweight
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Not suitable for small spaces
2. Camper Comfort ceiling fan
The Camper Comfort E17 is one of the best ceiling fans that you can buy for your RV, especially if you need one that is compact yet powerful.
Made of wood, this ceiling fan features four 36 inch blades, but is still compact in size.
Running on a 12V DC supply, the fan offers four different speeds, meaning you can easily adjust the airflow depending on how hot it feels. It also features a reverse function, which can be very useful to blow hot air off to the roof while allowing cooler air to settle inside your RV.
The fan unfortunately doesn’t come with a remote control, but it does include a simple, easy-to-use wall switch with all control options available.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Modern look
- Reversible direction
Cons:
- No remote control
- Heavy
- Some users have complained of motor problems, with the motor shutting off just a few hours into use.
3. Minka-Aire Ceiling Fan
With a sleek brushed-steel body, Minka-Aire’s F510 BS ceiling fan is one of the most compact on our list with three metallic blades that have a span of less than 26 inches, making it the perfect ceiling fan for any RVer concerned about space and safety.
With a flush-mount canopy and a total hanging depth of 10 inches, this is ideal for RVs with limited ceiling height.
The fan also comes with a 30 watt halogen bulb, with dimmer and four different fan speeds, giving you a good range of control over both the fan and the in-built light.
The fan is on the costlier side, but Minka-Aire offer a lifetime warranty on this product, meaning you won’t have to worry about the product being durable enough to survive the bumps of RV traveling.
One major downside, however, is that the fan requires a 120V shore line to function properly which significantly limits the amount of time you can use the fan in your RV.
Pros:
- Compact design with airflow of 1250 cubic feet per minute
- Four fan speeds
- 30W light with a dimmer
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Needs a 120v shore line
- No remote control
- Heavy steel body (11 pounds)
4. Maxxair Roof Top Fan/Vent
It should come as no surprise to find a Maxxair fan on our list. Their fans are certainly well-known. We like their 00-04000K model, with it’s unique combination of a rooftop fan and a vent that offers a compact design, amazing performance with a reasonable price.
If you’re new to enjoying RV’s, it’s important to understand that a fan (whose job is to create airflow inside your RV) is different from a vent (whose job is to allow air to move outside of your RV). With this product, you can simply close the lid and use it as a ceiling fan, or keep it open and change the settings so it can work like a vent instead.
The 12V fan with ten 12 inch blades requires a 14 * 14 inch opening (which is the standard vent size for an RV) to mount in your ceiling. This design offers safety while also helping to save up precious space inside your vehicle.
Although small, the fan can generate a decent airflow of 900 cubic feet per minute as well.
The fan comes with a remote control for controlling fan speed, air intake and exhaust.
One downside is that the vent top needs to be opened manually, which isn’t always the most convenient in an RV.
But Maxxair do have other models that don’t require manual adjustment.
Pros:
- Combination of a fan and a vent
- Compact 14 inch diameter, fits standard RV vent openings
- Flush mount offers safety and saves on space
- Lightweight
- Remote control included
Cons:
- The vent top needs to be opened manually
